M. Muthaiya
Born
Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationFilm director
Years active2013–present

M. Muthaiya is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Tamil cinema. He is known for directing rural-based action films.

Career

Muthaiya moved to Chennai from Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar to make movies and debuted with the rural drama Kutti Puli (2013) starring Sasikumar. The film did not receive favorable reviews from the media but went on to perform well at the box office.[1]

Muthaiya moved on to make Komban (2015), a story set in the Ramanathapuram district starring Karthi, Lakshmi Menon, and Rajkiran. The film is about an aggressive man (Karthi) and his relationship with his father-in-law (Rajkiran). Muthaiya, inspired by the egotistical tussles between his father and his grandmother, scripted the story straight from his own experiences.[1] The release of Komban was mired by controversy when protesters claimed that the story revolved around the animosity between different Thevar caste groups and that it therefore had the potential to incite violence in southern districts of Tamil Nadu. After a brief legal battle, the film opened to positive reviews and did well commercially.[2]

Following the success of Komban, Muthaiya made Marudhu (2016), featuring Vishal and Sridivya in the lead roles.[3] The film received positive reviews from critics.

In 2017, Muthaiya reunited with Sasikumar to make another rural drama film titled Kodiveeran. Prior to the release of the film, the film's producer committed suicide due to financial problems.[4]

In January 2018, Muthaiya began work on Devarattam, a second film with Studio Green, which features a brother-sisters relationship with Gautham Karthik in the lead role. The film released on 1 May 2019. Overall, the film is an average rural action entertainer with routine elements which may work for audiences in Madurai, Tirunelveli and surrounding areas.[5]

Muthaiya has followed the same successful style in Pulikkuthi Pandi (2021), which stars Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon comparing their previous film. Pulikkuthi Pandi is Lakshmi Menon's third film under Muthaiya's direction, and the film also marks the actress's comeback to big screens after four years of film.[6][7] The film received positive reviews.

In August 2022, Muthaiya's much expected Viruman, the first time under the banner of 2D Entertainment was released. The film features Karthi in the lead role, marking his second collaboration with Muthaiya, and was produced by Suriya and Jyothika. The film claimed to be an overall hit on a commercial basis even though it critically attained mixed reviews, like Muthaiya's previous movies. Aditi Shankar, the daughter of Indian director Shankar, made her acting debut as the female lead.[8]

In 2023, Muthaiya directed Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam, which saw him collaborating with Arya for the first time.[9] The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

Filmmaking style

Muthaiya is known for his regional village and caste-oriented based scripts and mostly directs Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Theni, Thirunelveli and Tenkasi-based movies.[10]

Filmography

Year Film Notes
2013Kutti Puli
2015Komban
2016Marudhu
2017Kodiveeran
2019Devarattam
2021Pulikkuthi Pandi
2022Viruman
2023 Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam

References

  1. 1 2 Srinivasan, Sudhir (21 December 2014). "Back to the village". The Hindu.
  2. ↑ "HC verdict on "Komban" today". The Hindu. 1 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Vishal's 'Marudhu' set for massive release"
  4. ↑ "Kuttipuli Muthaiah to direct Sasikumar again". 24 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Devarattam review: Template rural revenge story!". Sify. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019.
  6. ↑ "Vikram Prabhu's 'Puli Kutty Pandi' to be the first release of 2021". The Times of India.
  7. ↑ Thandoratimes.com. "Pulikkuthi Pandi to be released live on Sun TV as Pongal treat Thandoratimes.com". Thandoratimes.com. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "Shankar's daughter Aditi Shankar on making debut with 'Viruman': I feel honoured to enter the same industry as my father". The Times of India. 4 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Arya's film with Muthaiya titled 'Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam'". The New Indian Express. 10 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Exclusive biography of #Muthaiah and his life".
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